Imperfectly Balanced Life

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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

I recently received from Influenster their Nurture VoxBox. Now, in case you do not know what a VoxBox is, or even what Influester is, I'll give you a short explanation. Influester is a website that collect reviews of different products or brands, pretty much anything. You grow your 'social impact' by writing reviews, answering questions and talking about it on your various social media outlets. Influenster will occasionally send out surveys to see if you qualify for it's upcoming VoxBox, which contains different products, complimentary, with the hope that you will review the products and share your opinion on social media.

So, as stated before, I recently received their Nurture VoxBox. This box seemed to be geared towards mothers. Upon opening my box, this is what I found.

The back of the card on top listed the products in the box, a description of the product and the suggested retail price.

'Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive uses only high quality natural minerals, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, for broad spectrum UVA and UVB skin protection. Dermatologist recommended and specifically formulated for everyday protection on face and body, involving no potentially irritating chemicals, Blue Lizard Australian Sensitive Sunscreen in effective UV protection but gentle on sensitive skin. Our packaging is a bit unique too! The patented BPA-free plastic cap on our 3.0 oz tubes is UV photo sensitive, changing color in the presence of harmful UV rays, reminding you to cover up. The deeper blue the cap becomes, the more UV rays are currently present.'

3 oz tube - $14.99

'Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sport is very water resistant , meeting Australian Standards of 240 minutes in whirlpool water. It is designed for daily, full-body protection for the most active of people.'

3 oz tube - $12.99

Both of these lived up to the claims, keeping me from getting burnt during two separate outings at the beach. Living in Florida, I use sunscreen all the time, quite often having 3 or 4 different sunscreens that I'm rotating through. While I liked the protection the sensitive sunscreen provided, I wasn't a big fan of the 'unscented' scent. It smelled a little like clay to me. But if that doesn't matter to you, this is a great product. The Sport version worked great! I used it when I took my son the beach. So we were playing in the water, in the sand and running around. I definitely put the 'sport' aspect to the test. And it worked great! Unfortunately, there was only one application worth in the package and needed to reapply after a few hours. Remember, I live in Florida and it's June. That means full on sunshine! I will definitely consider purchasing this.

'Soft single-use, 100% cotton mask drenches your skin with an entire bottle of serum to instantly boost hydration, smooth fine lines, and restore firmness and bounce to your skin. Clinically prover to increase skin's hydration 2.5 times in only 10 minutes. the sheet works to trap all the goodness into the skin: It offers an intense yet gentle infusion of Super Hyaluronic Acid, Soy Peptides, Collagen and Vitamin E for immediate results. Perfect for travel-depleted skin or if you've been negligent in your skincare, it's like playing catch up - a mini facial on the go!'

$14.99

This was the first sheet mask I have ever used, so I was a little weirded out at first. But once I placed it on my face, rested for 15 minutes and took it off, I thought my skin felt so soft and moisturized. I have naturally oily skin, so I was a little concerned about breaking out, but nothing happened. This is a great

'ATTITUDE Hair Care products were developed with uncompromised safety in mind, using only worry free ingredients. While cancer causing chemicals, mutagens, and reproductive toxins are still legally tolerated contaminants found in hair care products, you won't find them in ours. Now found at Target.'

$9.99

At first, I though the product had a very strong scent to it, and one that was a bit masculine for my taste. However, it worked well, leaving my hair and body clean. I haven't looked in my local Target yet to see if this product is there. But with so many quality-comperable, less expensive options, I don't know that I would purchase this.

This was the only product I was not able to try, as I have not had any opportunity to use it.

'RedVines candy is the deliciously rewarding treat that has been making special moments even sweeter for generations. Always fat free and made with only five ingredients, Red Vines candy offers exceptional flavor without using any preservatives. Whether you pick up the classic tray at the movie theater concession stand or bring them on a family road trip, Red Vines candy has been an essential part of celebrating life's sweet moments for decades.'

$1.59

As a person who LOVES Twizzlers, I was excited to try these, thinking they would be just like Twizzlers. I was disappointed. They were okay, but nothing stand out. They weren't as sticky or sweet as Twizzlers, two aspects I was looking for. I would definitely eat them again, but not go out of my way to get them.

'Introducing a new way to change up your dinner routine-UNCLE BEN'S Flavored Grains. These delectable mixes of sophisticated grains are great as a side dish or in your favorite recipes. UNCLES BEN'S Basmati Medley Savory Herb is a unique blend of basmati rice, orzo, and wild rice. UNCLE BEN'S Brown Rice & Quinoa Roasted Red Pepper brings you the goodness of brown rice and whole grain quinoa. And they both cook to perfection in just 25 minutes.'

'So you want the golden crispy finish of oven cooked fries, and the unbeatable flavor of America's highest quality potatoes... but from a microwave and in just 4 minutes? No problem! With three Extra Crispy Easy fry varieties, you can enjoy perfectly crisp fries in the time it takes to preheat your oven.'

I personally do like Uncle Ben and OreIda products. I think the quality is good and prices are reasonable. I have not yet used my coupons, but you can be sure I will be soon, and seeing the products as part of some of my meals.

Over all, I feel that the products in the box were really good and useful. However, I did not see how the grouping of items necessarily catered toward a mother's 'nurturing' side. A single, childless person would have found these products just as useful. With that said, I did enjoy the products in the box.

Please let me know in the comments below if you have ever received a VoxBox.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

I have really enjoyed doing this challenge so far. It has made me look at my life and how good I have things. Sometimes we look at our situation and think it's bleak and that nothing is good. I'm glad I decided to do take a second look at the good things in my life, really put some thought into it and share it with all of you!

This week my challenge it to think about how I did and how I felt. I'm going to assume that it is referring to last weeks challenge of expressing gratitude to three people. Last week I expressed gratitude to my son's three teachers.

Like I said last week, I expressed my gratitude for each of them by writing a hand written card, telling each of them why I appreciate what they have done for my son. I explained how important each of them are to him and how I feel each of them have impacted my son. My son has had a dramatic change in his vocabulary and comprehension since starting at his new school in October. I attribute that to his teacher's dedication to the students. I explained this in each of the letters. Also each of them have strengths that I appreciate. One of them is very nurturing, which is helpful in the morning when my son is having a tough time saying good bye to me. His primary teacher is a no-nonsense kid of teacher, which is good for him, and I appreciate that.

Communicating all of this to each of them made me feel good. It is true that complimenting people makes you feel better about yourself. I've worked in childcare myself and there is nothing better than a parent who tells you 'Thank you for taking care of my kid.' I wanted to express that to the ladies who take care of mine and it felt great doing it.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

This weeks challenge is to express gratitude to three people. It was actually not very much of a challenge for me, as it is habit for me to show people in my life appreciation for the things they do for me.

I wrote a handwritten note to each of my son's teachers, thanking all three of them for the impact they have had on my son. When my son started at the school he is currently at last October, he was behind where he should have been academically. In the almost 5 months he has been at they school, I have seen a dramatic change in not only his learning ability, but his personality as well.

I make sure to have a conversation with his teachers when I drop him off in the morning and when I pick him up in the afternoon. Having worked with children in the past, I know how important those short conversations are. So in the morning, I make his teacher aware of any issues that came up after we left the prior day, if my son told me of any troubles with other children. And in the afternoon, I always check to see how his day was.

Even though there is a constant flow of communication between us, I wanted them to know how important they are to my son and me. And I know that most people appreciate a hand written note, especially since it rarely happens anymore.

I am grateful for these women. Their patience and caring nature is appreciated by me immensely. Knowing how difficult some children can be, especially my own, it means so much to me that they treat my son and the other children so well!

How do you show the people in your life gratitude? How you like to be shown gratitude? Do you appreciate an overt gesture or is a simple thank you enough?

Sunday, February 15, 2015

This week I'm writing about a friend that I am grateful for. This is very tough, I have several very close friends whom I love very much! So, I decided to share why I'm grateful for the friend I have had the longest.

I am grateful for my friend Krista. We met during my senior year of high school, on New Year's Eve. (Funny side note, I had a crush on her younger brother, who is my age, while I was in middle school.) We didn't meet that night and just become best friends, we started becoming friends because some other friends of ours asked her to call me to convince me to have a party at my house. For some reason, even though we barely knew each other, she was able to convince me and we started hanging out from then on.

Looking back, I kinda think we were an odd couple. I was still in high school when we met. She was 20 at the time, working full time and had a two year old son. I guess we just 'clicked' as you could say and enjoyed hanging out with each other.

Since that time, we have shared so much of our lives together, gone on several road trips together, been with each other through our pregnancies. (She threw me the most amazing baby shower!) We've been there for each other through relationships good and bad. (Happy to say that she's in the best one I could ever imagine for her!)

One thing I actually love about Krista, she in unyielding in her honesty with me. And while it may appear to others that she is being a bit of a bitch, I know she is being brutally honest with me, and most likely, correct. Which is why I view our friendship as more of a sister relationship than a friendship. We will fight and not talk for several months and go right back as if nothing happened. I love that, we are not scared to make each other mad. There is no walking on eggshells here.

I am eternally grateful for my friend Krista, she has been there for me through thick and thin, good and bad. I think anyone would be blessed to call her a friend.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

So, I decided I'm going to try a new thing and start doing a monthly favorites post. This will encompass beauty, food, kid products, media, pretty much anything that I (or my son) have been enjoying for the past month.

BEAUTY

*Naked 3 Palette- I purchased this a few months back and didn't use it too often then. But I have been using it regularly in January. I really enjoy the colors, as they are beautiful, but fairly neutral and appropriate for an office environment (where I work).

*Nivea's A Kiss of Olive & Lemon Lip Care - This has been my go-to lip balm. I had a cold for a few days, which forced me to use a lot of tissues. This in turn dried out my lips, adding to them already being dry because the air is a bit drier during the winter here in Florida. Nivea's A Kiss of Olive & Lemon has really helped keep my lips soft and I really like the smell.

FOOD & DRINK

*Bigelow Sweet Dreams - I have been loving this tea this past month. It's a chamomile and mint tea and is caffeine-free, which makes it appropriate for bedtime. I usually drink it before bedtime, before I do my final tooth-brushing. I really love the way this tastes, and to me, it does taste different than Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea.

*Quest S'mores Protein Bar - These are DELICIOUS! I have been eating them on my way to the gym, before I work out. I have been a fan of the Quest bars for a while now, but these are my new favorite. They are not vegan and do have added sugars.